Open Mike

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Wrestling: DV bests Kittatinny for G1 title; PJ rallies

Delaware Valley's wrestling team had almost a month to the day to stew over a one-point road loss to Kittatinny. The rematch was worth the wait.

DV won 8 G2 titles (1984, '85, '87, '88, '89, 90, '99 and 2017).

Junior Brayden Schneider (144) and senior Noah Sheeley (165) came through with clutch decisions as the Terriers pretty much ended any suspense early on in their 36-23 win over the Cougars in Sunday's Group 1 title match at Franklin High School.

Del Val (17-4), which wasn't tested in winning the Central Jersey sectional championship and was looking to avenge a 30-29 loss to Kittatinny on Jan. 15, won nine bouts in the rematch, including pins from senior Trevor Bowen (190) and Owen Kucharski (106), to salt away the program's ninth state championship. It's the Terriers' first in Group 1 after winning the last of their eight titles in Group 2 in 2017. It's also just the fourth for Hunterdon County since 2000 (North Hunterdon won Group 3 in 2002 and Group 4 in 2020).

Kittatinny (19-3), which was seeking its ninth state championship (seven in Group 2) and first since winning its only Group 1 title in 2008, beat Del Val in four previous Group 2 finals (2001, '02, '05, '06), but came out flat and was outwrestled for most of this match. In addition, Del Val, now 7-10 all-time vs. the Cougars dating to 1992, won the flip and was able to control key matchups at 157 and 215.

Sophomore Ben Levy opened the match with a 12-3 major decision over Avery Yeager at 138 pounds (Levy won 7-6 in the regular-season dual). Schneider (13-13) converted two second-period takedowns en route to a 6-3 win over Reece Smith (21-7). That avenged a 6-4 loss in their January encounter and gave the Terriers, who logged the first seven takedowns of the match, critical early momentum.

Sophomore Bryce Coesfeld stopped the run temporarily by scoring a third-period reversal for a 4-3 win over Chris Colasurdo in a good matchup at 150 and senior state medalist Steven Dalling's 12-4 major of Sam Thomas at 157 evened the team score at 7, but Kittatinny was surely looking for additional team points there. The flip gave coach Andy Fitz the opportunity to swap Thomas and Sheeley, who lost by technical fall against Dalling in the previous dual, at 157 and 165.

Sheeley put Del Val in the driver's seat by escaping with six seconds left for a 5-4 win over freshman Ethan Dalling, who beat Thomas, 8-7, last time, at 165. Ethan Dalling (20-9) had converted a double-leg takedown with 32 seconds to go in the third to tie it at 4. Sophomore Anderson Olcott followed with a 6-2 win at 175 and Bowen's pin of Tyler Holste (who lost 4-2 in this matchup in January) gave the Terriers a commanding 19-7 lead through seven bouts.

Kittatinny, which was hoping to sweep 215 and 285 coming in, had no control and was forced to send out senior Ty Eldred, who worked Tim Torrey for a 10-2 major. Senior Matt Schneider scored a 6-0 victory over Jay Martin at 285, and Del Val secured the title with Kucharski's pin and Jake Taylor's technical fall at 113, which gave the Terries an insurmountable 33-11 lead with three to go.

DELAWARE VALLEY 36, KITTATINNY 23

138 -- So. Ben Levy (20-11), DV, md. Sr. Avery Yeager (8-10), 12-3.
144 -- Jr. Brayden Schneider (13-13), DV, d. So. Reece Smith (21-7), 6-3.
150 -- So. Bryce Coesfeld (25-7), K, d. Jr. Chris Colasurdo (22-6), 4-3.
157 -- Sr. Steven Dalling (26-3), K, md. Sr. Sam Thomas (8-7), 12-4.
165 -- Sr. Noah Sheeley (23-8), DV, d. Fr. Ethan Dalling (20-9), 5-4.
175 -- So. Anderson Olcott (16-11), DV, d. So. Tucker Lockburner (13-10), 6-2.
190 -- Sr. Trevor Bowen (21-9), DV, p. Sr. Tyler Holste (16-12), 3:54.
215 -- Sr. Ty Eldred (26-4), K, md. Sr. Tim Torrey (9-14), 10-2.
285 -- Sr. Matt Schneider (22-10), DV, d. Sr. Jay Martin (17-11), 6-0.
106 -- Jr. Owen Kucharski (22-7), DV, p. So. Gavin Collier (1-6), :16.
113 -- So. Jake Taylor (17-9), DV, tf. So. Dylan Zupkay (3-19), 16-1, 4:19.
120 -- Sr. Shane Nelson (24-3), K, forfeit.
126 -- Sr. Robert Groogan (10-2), DV, d. So. Jacob Savage (4-5), 6-1.
132 -- Jr. Chris Casale (21-7), K, forfeit.
Records -- Delaware Valley 17-4; Kittatinny 19-3.

Lions get 'A' for B title win

Seniors Jack Stoll and Zachary Hentschel delivered key pins and junior Jack Nauta sealed the deal with his fall in the final bout as Pope John scored a 42-31 win over Red Bank Catholic in the Non-Public B state final.

The Lions (10-4), who picked up their 11th sectional title on Friday, also claimed the program's second state championship since 2018., which ended a 24-year drought. Pope John's seven state titles -- 1982, '83, '86, '92 and '94 in addition to 2018 and '22 -- rank second to Kittatinny's eight among Sussex County schools. High Point, which came up short in the Group 2 final, is next on the list with six. Sparta is the only other program in the county to win a state title -- Group 2 in 1983.

Pope John had to rally, as Red Bank Catholic (12-6) grabbed a 25-6 lead midway through after a pin at 190. Stoll (13-2), who placed fifth in the state tournament last season, sparked the comeback by decking Davin Brewton (18-3) in a key matchup at 215 pounds. After the Caseys forfeited 106 because their starter missed weight, talented freshman Carson Walsh added a pin at 113 to make it 31-24 with three bouts to go.

Junior Jason Athey (120) kept the string of four straight pins to close before Hentschel (14-6) and Nauta (6-1), a transfer from Sparta who had to sit the first 30 days of the season per NJSIAA rules, sealed the deal.

The match featured a total of nine pins, seven in the first period.

POPE JOHN 42, RED BANK CATHOLIC 31

138 -- So. Marco Conroy (11-5), RBC, md. So. Spencer Moser (4-3), 14-0.
144 -- Sr. Dan Conroy (10-7), RBC, d. Fr. Joseph Rozynski (9-13), 9-8 UTB.
150 -- Sr. Colin Neal (14-5), PJ, p. Jr. Christian Ungemah (8-11), 3:19.
157 -- So. VJ Muscillo (13-8), RBC, d. Sr. Angelo DeAngelis (10-11), 8-3.
165 -- Jr. Robert Muscio (10-8), RBC, p. Fr. Kevin Wilson (5-12), :40.
175 -- Jr. Sabino Portella (18-0), RBC, p. Jr. Justin Fontana (10-8), 1:37.
190 -- Jr. Michael Palmieri (13-5), RBC, d. Fr. Luke Brown (0-4), 7-1.
215 -- Sr. Jack Stoll (13-2), PJ, p. So. Davin Brewton (18-3), :45.
285 -- So. Lorenzo Portella (19-2), RBC, p. Sr. Jake Rubin (15-8), :45.
106 -- Fr. Jake Holly (9-10), PJ, forfeit.
113 -- Fr. Carson Walsh (15-3), PJ, p. So. Anthony DeGaetano (9-7), 1:01.
120 -- Jr. Jason Athey (14-8), PJ, p. Fr. Michael Milke (8-8), 1:12.
126 -- Sr. Zachary Hentschel (14-6), PJ, p. Sr. Trevor Learn (9-7), 1:08.
132 -- Jr. Jack Nauta (6-1), PJ, p. So. Isaiah Nash (4-14), 2:49.
Records -- Pope John 10-4; Red Bank Catholic 12-6.

Last Sunday our PJ Wrestling won the NJSIAA Non-Public B Wrestling Team Championship in a 42-31 victory against Red Bank Catholic.

PJ trailed 31-12 after nine bouts but came back after four pins and a win.

Congratulations to PJ Wrestling on the great win!!!#WeArePopeJohn pic.twitter.com/mgPXKTVZ51
— Pope John Lions Athletics (@PJLionsSports) February 14, 2022

Friday, February 11, 2022

Wrestling: Del Val, P'burg win thrillers; WH, HP roll

Delaware Valley has been itching for a rematch against Kittatinny for nearly a month, but the Terriers needed to clear one huge hurdle to make that happen.

Del Val is 3-3-1 all-time vs. Paulsboro (DV Twitter)

The Del Val upper weights delivered in crunch time as sophomore Anderson Olcott started the rally with a huge win at 175 pounds, while seniors Trevor Bowen (195) and Matt Schneider (215) followed with quick pins to secure a thrilling 33-27 win over Paulsboro in a Group 1 semifinal at The Hutch Gymnasium in Alexandria Township.

Kittatinny, the top seed, easily advanced in the other semifinal with a 50-27 drubbing of Roselle Park -- setting up the all-Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Group 1 final at 9 a.m. on Sunday at Franklin High School. The Cougars (19-2), who are seeking the program's ninth state title (seven in Group 2) and first since winning their only Group 1 championship in 2008, handed Del Val a 30-29 loss on Jan. 15.

Phillipsburg (Group 5), Warren Hills (Group 3), High Point (Group 2) also will wrestle for state championships on Sunday. North Hunterdon suffered its first postseason loss since 2019 -- 38-27 to Brick Memorial in a Group 4 semifinal. The Lions, who capped the program's first unbeaten season with the Group 4 title in 2020, lost key bouts at 113, 120, 144, 157 and 165 -- all by three points or fewer and received forfeit wins in the last three bouts.

Pope John, which will wrestle for its seventh Non-Public B title and first since 2018 at 9 a.m. on Sunday, scored a 48-21 win over St. Thomas Aquinas to give the HWS area a total of seven sectional championships for the first time since 2002. It's the Sussex County program's 11th North B title and fourth consecutive since 2018. Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex teams have won an area-best three state titles just five times (1982, '83, '87, '89 and 2018), including Pope John's championships in '82, '83 and 2018.

Del Val (16-4), which won all of its eight championships in Group 2, including the last in 2017, had to sweat a bit in the semifinals as Paulsboro (17-1) suffered just its third loss in 39 career Group 1 semis appearances since the event formed in 1982 (no tournament in 2021). The Red Raiders, who lost their only sectional final to Collingswood in 2008 and are now 33-4 overall in Group 1 finals, suffered their only other state semifinal losses to Bound Brook (59-9 in 2013 and 46-16 in '14). The Crusaders won four consecutive championships from 2012-15.

Veteran coach Paul Morina's Paulsboro teams handed Del Val lopsided losses in the 2019 semis (61-9) and '20 final (50-9).

The Terriers, now 3-3-1 all-time in the series and winners over Paulsboro for the first time since going back-to-back in the first two matchups in 1989-90, won key bouts down low (junior Owen Kucharski at 106 and sophomore Jake Taylor at 113), and they were able to weather the storm a bit through the middle where Paulsboro was heavily favored in several bouts. Olcott (15-11), in a bit of a tossup bout, scored a 6-1 win over McGuire Cabanas, who unwisely chose bottom as he was turned for three backs with a cradle, Olcott's go-to move on top, in the third period. Bowen slapped on a cradle as well for a 48-second pin and Schneider used a cross arm to flatten Austin Willetts in 29 seconds.

Kittatinny seeks its second Group 1 title.

Kittatinny, which won its 23rd sectional title under coach John Gill on Wednesday, has different look to the lineup this time around as senior Shane Nelson (23-3), a 2020 HWS Tournament finalist, made the drop from 126 to 120, allowing sophomore Jacob Savage (3-4), a starter last season, to slide in at 126. The Cougars had routinely given up big points at 106-120 for much of the season, including 14 to Del Val, which swept all three weights in the first meeting.

The Terriers have senior Robert Groogan (9-2), an 8-6 winner at 120 who missed some time with an injury, back in the fold, but senior Sam Kirkpatrick (15-11 at 132-138) was noticeably favoring his injured right leg in his return, a 16-5 loss, against Paulsboro.

Rally 'Liners

Phillipsburg had to overcome a huge deficit for a 27-25 victory over Southern in a Group 5 semifinal in Stafford Township. The Stateliners (15-1), who have won 12 straight since a 35-15 loss at Warren Hills on Jan. 14, will bid for their 23rd state title and first since 2018, when they take on Howell in Sunday's title match at 11:30 a.m.

P'burg has 13 titles in G4 and nine in G3. (PB Twitter)

Trailing, 22-6, through seven bouts (P'burg senior James Day logged a huge 1-0 win over previously-unbeaten freshman Wyatt Stout at 126), junior Hunter Cleaver started the comeback against Southern (17-1) with his 7-2 win over Nate Bischoff at 157.

Senior Nate Zastowny followed with a technical fall at 165, as the Rams bumped Tyler Chase to 175. That move didn't pay off for the hosts as sophomore Caleb Rivera delivered a 19-7 major decision. A scary scene unfolded at the conclusion of the bout as Chase, who suffered an apparent head-neck injury, had to be transported from the gym to a local hospital. The Asbury Park Press' ace wrestling reporter Steve Falk said Chase's condition had since improved.

When action resumed, junior Connor Hille delivered another big win -- 6-2 over Collin French at 190 -- before senior David Pierson (215) and sophomore John Wargo (285) added crucial decisions to give P'burg a 27-22 lead through 13 bouts. Southern could only manage a decision in the finale, but the 'Liners, who had eight bouts in the bank in event of a tie, handed the Rams their seventh loss in 15 meetings since the series began in 1997.

The teams have split six postseason matchups, including a 32-21 P'burg win in the 2014 Group 4 final, as Robert Melise, then an unheralded freshman and later a state runner-up in 2016, delivered a match-turning pin. The 'Liners opened the series with a 53-9 victory in the 1997 Group 4 final. Southern won Group 4 semis matchups in 2006 and '07, and scored a 30-25 victory in the 2005 Group 4 final.

No contests

Warren Hills and High Point had much easier paths to the finals in Group 3 and 2, respectively, as the Blue Streaks cruised to a 66-3 win over Paramus in Washington Township, while the Wildcats handed Collingswood a 44-21 defeat in Wantage.

WH beat North Hunterdon for its last G3 title in '97.

Hills (18-3), which has been wrestling as well as any public school in the state since a 35-15 rout of Phillipsburg on Jan. 14, and now with its best lineup, received three forfeits to open the proceedings against Paramus (16-4), which seemed just happy to be there following its North 1 sectional title run. Coach Dave Sbriscia's Streaks won the first 11 bouts, including pins by Max Pagano (138), Michael Drazek (157), Stephen Malia (165) and Owen Frizzell (175).

The Spartans' lone win came at 215, a 10-7 decision from Zackery Dolack, who oddly flexed before leaving the mat despite his team trailing, 56-3. State medal winner Eric Freeman (28-0 at 165), who placed third at 160 in 2021, did not wrestle.

Warren Hills, which captured its first sectional championship since 2007 and has dropped just five bouts in four postseason victories, seeks the program's third state title (winning Group 3 in 1990 and '97) when it faces Delsea -- a 35-22 winner over South Plainfield in the other Group 3 semifinal -- at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. The Streaks are 4-1 against teams competing for state titles -- beating Raritan, P'burg, Delaware Valley and Howell, while losing to Mount Olive.

The 'Cats are 12-2 since a 54-12 loss to Southern on Jan. 12.

High Point (13-4) won the final six bouts in its Group 2 semifinal win, including pins from freshman Nick Clayton (106), Colton Jaust (113), Clayton Utter (120) and Roman Citro (126), who had been sidelined with a knee injury since Jan. 22 and made his return on Wednesday. Senior ace Brian Soldano (26-0) had a 30-second pin at 190 -- giving him 22 on the season and 88 career as he extended his unbeaten streak to 62 in a row dating to 2020. The two-time state champion and Rutgers recruit is now 115-5 overall.

With the match starting at 138, senior Andrew Brevot, who has been wrestling well of late, and junior Shane Woolf, added back-to-back majors at 144 and 150, as Collingswood (24-3) won four of the first six bouts to grab an 18-8 lead. Soldano's pin started a 7-1 run to close out the match.

The 'Cats, who have won a Sussex County-best 29 sectional titles, seek the program's seventh state championship (and second straight after winning in 2020) when they battle Raritan -- a 56-21 winner over Hanover Park in the other Group 2 semifinal -- at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Coach John Gardner's 2018 team won the last six bouts to beat the Rockets, 30-25, in one of the most memorable Group 2 title matches in recent years. Thomas Hubmaster (285) and freshman Josh Gervey were among the heroes that day in Toms River. High Point has won back-to-back titles just once in its history (2013-14).

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Wrestling: Six! HWS struts championship stuff

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex had that championship feeling on Wednesday night.

As expected, six area teams captured sectional titles, including Warren Hills, which ended its 15-year drought with an impressive 51-12 thumping of West Essex in the North 2, Group 3 final in Washington Township.

Phillipsburg (North 2, Group 5), North Hunterdon (North 2, Group 4), High Point (North 1, Group 2), Kittatinny (North 1, Group 1) and Delaware Valley (Central Jersey, Group 1) also advanced to Friday's Group semifinals -- giving the HWS area six public school sectional winners for the first time since 2017. Pope John, which reached the Non-Public North B sectional final, can give the area seven champions for just the fifth time and first since 2002, when the Lions host St. Thomas Aquinas (formerly Bishop Ahr) on Friday.

The area went 6-1 as Hunterdon Central came up short in a 31-26 loss to top-seeded Howell in the Central Jersey, Group 5 final.

Streaks sizzle

Warren Hills (17-3), which seeks the program's third Group 3 title and first since 1997, started quickly once again -- winning the first 10 bouts (11 total) against West Essex, which handed Hills a 34-31 loss in the 2020 title match. Starting right in the teeth of the Streaks' lineup at 157 pounds, junior Michael Drazek, who is lethal with the hazard tilt, got the ball rolling with a 13-1 major decision.

WH celebrates its 6th title and first since 2007.

Senior Stephen Malia, a state medal contender at 165, followed with an 11-3 major to set the stage for senior Owen Frizzell, whose 21-second fall at 175 started a string of four straight pins to give Hills a 32-0 lead through six bouts. Junior Jarett Pantuso (215) and senior Tyler McCatharn also added first-period pins.

"It felt awesome. We hung 50 on 'em," Frizzell said during a postmatch interview on the Garden State HS wrestling broadcast. "We executed well at every weight. I think me pinning [in 21 seconds] definitely set the tone for the rest of the match."

Warren Hills, now 6-9 all-time in sectional finals since the program's first title (North 2, Group 2 in 1982) under former coach Rich Kerr, who was in attendance, did not give up a takedown until the 10th bout -- a 10-6 win by junior Shawn Redfield over Joey Macrino. The Knights won the next three, but junior Cody Miller capped it for the Streaks, who snapped a five-match sectional finals skid dating to 2012, with a first-period pin at 150.

WARREN HILLS 51, WEST ESSEX 12

157 -- Jr. Michael Drazek (21-6), WH, md. Jr. Mike Maglione (18-8), 13-1.
165 -- Sr. Stephen Malia (25-1), WH, md. Jr. Anthony Lombardi (19-7), 11-3.
175 -- Sr. Owen Frizzell (24-4), WH, p. Fr. Carmine Masi (7-6), :21.
190 -- Sr. Ryan Galka (25-5), WH, p. Jr. Luke Struss (10-14), 1:42.
215 -- Jr. Jarett Pantuso (24-5), WH, p. So. Chris Nigro (10-15), 1:52.
285 -- Sr. Tyler McCatharn (25-3), WH, p. Jr. Luca Salvatoriello (15-10), 2:39.
106 -- Fr. Charlie Piccione (17-4), WH, d. So. Alex Esposito (14-13), 6-4.
113 -- Sr. Kevin Riedinger (22-5), WH, d. So. Ethan Kerlin (13-7), 4-2.
120 -- So. Josh Lee (20-6), WH, md. Fr. Thomas Ruane (15-10), 11-0.
126 -- Jr. Shawn Redfield (26-3), WH, d. Jr. Joey Macrino (15-10), 10-6.
132 -- Jr. Anthony Barra (17-8), WE, md. Sr. Max Pagano (4-1), 11-2.
138 -- Sr. Mike Pescatore (24-3), WE, tf. Jr. Ryan Lundy (11-15), 23-8, 5:27.
144 -- Sr. Ricky Cassidy (24-3), WE, d. Sr. Jared Lee (27-2), 8-4.
150 -- Jr. Cody Miller (18-9), WH, p. So. Nick Janish (1-10), 1:13.
Records -- West Essex 12-7; Warren Hills 17-3.
Officials -- Frank Leitner and Dave Marotta.

39 is fine

Phillipsburg keeps racking up sectional titles, but the Stateliners were never more dominant than in their run to the North 2, Group 5 championship. First-year head coach Brad Gentzle's team lost just three bouts in as many matches, including a 67-6 pasting of Watchung Hills in the finale.

The 'Liners (14-1), who captured their HWS-best 39th sectional title (first in Group 5) and first since 2019, will travel to Southern in one of the Group 5 semifinals on Friday. The winner will face either Howell or Livingston in Sunday's final. P'burg, which has won 22 championships (13 in Group 4 and nine in Group 3), in its illustrious history, seeks its first state title since 2018.

39th Sectional Championship Winners pic.twitter.com/JOU68WIvBO
— Phillipsburg Wrestling (@PBurgHSWrestlin) February 10, 2022

Junior Connor Hille (16-8), who competes at either 175 or 190, helped put a championship stamp on the night against Watchung Hills with his stunning pin of Christopher Baker (25-2) at 5:14 in the their bout at 175 -- avenging a 16-3 loss when they met in the Stateliners' 70-10 regular-season win (the program's 1,000th victory) on Jan. 6. Hille, who is really a 165-pounder and led, 6-2, at the time of the fall, has come a long way in his first varsity season, starting with a fourth-place finish at 172 in the rugged Bethlehem Holiday Classic in December.

"Connor is one of those kids that has improved so much every single time he stepped on the mat -- really from Bethlehem Holiday when he got his shot," Gentzle, who was part of eight sectional titles as an assistant coach (2011-19), told Mike Moore of Stateliner Sports. "Fall aside, what a huge improvement both on his feet and in the bottom position. That kid scored four or five takedowns and a couple turns on him eight weeks ago."

Repeat feat

North Hunterdon also won a regular-season rematch in the sectional finals with a 56-15 pounding of Ridge in the North 2, Group 4 title match.

NH outscored its sectional opponents, 157-43.

The Lions (16-4), who claimed the program's second straight championship and 16th overall, after winning the Group 4 state title in a perfect 2020 season, will host Brick Memorial in a Group 4 semifinal on Friday. The winner will face Mount Olive or Shawnee, which won its first sectional title, in Sunday's final.

North, which handed Ridge a 63-3 loss a week earlier in the regular-season finale, received pins from junior Brendan Raley (28-2 at 215) and senior Nick DeLorenzo (17-6 at 132), a starter on the 2020 championship team. Junior Alex Uryniak (24-3 at 190), a state medal winner last season, sat out all three sectional wins, including Monday's victories over Irvington and Middletown North. His status moving forward is unknown.

Coach Chris Hrunka's team, which last lost to St. John Vianney (37-33 on Jan. 22), is bidding for North's sixth state team championship. The Lions won four in Group 3 (1982, '84, '94, 2002).

Drive for 5

High Point has clearly overcome its early-season struggles as the Wildcats cruised to a 48-19 win over Jefferson in the North 1, Group 2 final -- beating the Falcons for a second time in eight days after securing the NJAC Freedom Division title with a 52-18 victory on Feb. 1.

HP has won 17 sectional titles in Gardner's 24 seasons.

Coach John Gardner's team (12-4), which claimed the program's fifth straight championship and Sussex County-best 29th overall, hosts Collingswood in Friday's Group 2 semifinals. The winner faces Raritan or Hanover Park in Sunday's title match. Collingswood (24-2) beat Haddonfield, 26-25, on criteria (most first points) in the South Jersey sectional final.

After a 1-2 start, which included losses during a brutal stretch in early January to public heavyweights Mount Olive (47-18) and Southern (54-12), High Point has won 10 of 12 and seems primed for a run at the program's seventh state championship and second straight after winning it all in Group 2 in 2020. For the 'Cats, who all buy into the team concept, those tough early stretches are by design.

"That's kind of what we do," Gardner told Dan Cleary of Morris-Sussex Sports during a postmatch interview. "Sometimes people question what we're doing, but it's kind of set up to be that way. We wrestle quality people to get ready for the end. It doesn't seem sometimes like it's going to end up working out, but it usually does. The kids are committed. They believe in the process and hats off to them."

Seniors Brian Soldano and Clayton Utter, starters on the 2019 and '20 teams that won sectional titles, picked up their 114th and 86th career wins, respectively. Soldano (25-0 at 190), who has seen two of his three forfeit victories this season (21 pins and a technical fall in his other bouts) come against Jefferson, even though Peter Deleportas weighed in for both meetings, moved into sole possession of 12th place on the school's career wins list at 114-5. Up next is Tyler Forbeck (122-39 from 2005-09).

Collision course?

Kittatinny and Delaware Valley took the next steps toward a potential rematch in the Group 1 final on Sunday with sectional titles.

The Cougars (18-2). who next host Roselle Park (North 2 winner) on Friday, claimed the program's 23rd championship (ninth in Group 1) with a 39-27 victory over Emerson-Park Ridge in a battle between two New Jersey coaching legends in Kittatinny's John Gill and Stan Woods, who became the first to reach 800 victories earlier this season. Gill has led his program to eight state titles (the last and only one in Group 1 in 2008).

Kittatinny has won 23 titles in John Gill's 42 seasons.

Sophomores Reece Smith (144) and Bryce Coesfeld (150) and freshman Ethan Dalling (157) came through with pins and senior state placewinner Steven Dalling (165) picked up a forfeit to give the Cougars a 36-15 lead through 10 bouts. After the Cavos won three straight, including two regular decisions and the outcome no longer in doubt, senior Ty Eldred scored a 3-1 win at 285.

Delaware Valley (15-4), which dropped a 30-29 decision to Kittatinny on Jan. 15, stormed past Point Pleasant Beach, 68-6, to secure the program's 20th sectional title and third in Group 1 after winning the first 17 in Group 2. It was also win No. 818 for the Hunterdon County school.

The Terriers, who will host Group 1 kingpin Paulsboro in the other Group 1 semifinal, are seeking their ninth state championship and first since winning it all in Group 2 in 2017. Coach Andy Fitz's teams are now 6-4 in sectional title matches, going 6-0 since a 31-30 win over Raritan in 2015.

Senior Trevor Bowen started things against Point Pleasant Beach with a pin at 215, one of nine for the hosts and 10 total in the matchup. Sam Thomas (165), Anderson Olcott (175) and Matt Schneider (190) finished it with three straight pins.

2022 Sectional Champions!

DV 68, Pt Beach 6

Win #818

Tim Torrey changed the number! pic.twitter.com/ukG0m5Lh3i
— Del Val Wrestling (@DVRWrestling) February 10, 2022

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Wrestling: Group semis, NP section finals matchups

Pairings for the public semifinals in Groups 1-5 and the four Non-Public sectional finals to be contested on Friday at the higher seed. Winners advance to Sunday's state championships at Franklin High School.

Sunday's schedule is as follows: Group 1 and Non-Public B, 9 a.m.; Groups 5, 3 and Non-Public A, 11:30 a.m., and Groups 4 and 2, 2 p.m.

Group 5

4-Livingston (13-3, 32.80) at 1-Howell (21-4, 36.30)

3-Phillipsburg (14-1, 32.00)* at 2-Southern (17-0, 34.40)

* -- Phillipsburg defeated Livingston, 37-22, on Jan. 17

Group 4

4-Shawnee (23-1, 30.30) at 1-Mount Olive (16-2, 35.40)

3-Brick Memorial (17-3, 33.10) at 2-North Hunterdon (16-4, 34.70)

Group 3

4-Paramus (16-3, 28.80) at 1-Warren Hills (17-3, 35.00)

3-South Plainfield (16-2, 32.10) at 2-Delsea (19-4, 33.10)

Group 2

4-Hanover Park (15-5, 28.50) at 1-Raritan (20-6, 33.10)

3-Collingswood (24-2, 29.10) at 2-High Point (12-4, 32.30)

Group 1

4-Roselle Park (12-2, 26.10) at 1-Kittatinny (18-2, 30.60)*

3-Paulsboro (17-0, 29.90) at 2-Delaware Valley (15-4, 32.40)

* -- Kittatinny defeated Delaware Valley, 30-29, on Jan. 15

Non-Public North A final

2-Bergen Catholic (10-1) at 1-Delbarton (12-1)

Non-Public North B final

2-St. Thomas Aquinas (15-6) at 1-Pope John (8-4)

Non-Public South A final

3-St. Augustine (13-3) at 1-Christian Brothers Academy (17-2)

Non-Public South B final

2-Holy Spirit (10-6) at 1-Red Bank Catholic (11-5)

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Wrestling: HWS sends 7 to public sectional finals

Phillipsburg and Warren Hills were nearly perfect as both easily advanced in Monday night's quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the NJSIAA sectional wrestling tournaments.

In all, eight teams (Pope John is in the Non-Public North B semis) from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area are vying for titles. The area record is seven championships (1988, 1994, 1995, 2002).

P'burg (13-1), which is seeking an HWS area-best 39th sectional title, won 27 of 28 bouts in wins against fellow Skyland Conference foes Bridgewater-Raritan (68-5) and Franklin (80-0) in North 2, Group 5. Senior James Day picked up his 100th and 101st victories -- becoming the 25th to do so wrestling all four years at the Warren County school (two others were transfers). Day, one of the top 126-pounders in New Jersey, is 26-2 on the season and 101-29 overall.

WH also won conference titles in 2020, '21 and '22.

The top-seeded Stateliners, who are 38-3 all-time in title matches (missing in 1990, 2013 and 2020), will meet No. 3 seed Watchung Hills for the second time this season on Wednesday night in Lopatcong Township. The 'Liners topped the Warriors, 70-10, to earn the program's 1,000th victory in a Skyland Conference crossover contest at home on Jan. 6.

Warren Hills (16-3), the No. 1 seed in North 2, Group 3, also lost just one bout in wins against Rahway (77-0) in the quarterfinals and Mendham (63-3) in the semis. The Blue Streaks, who seek the program's sixth sectional title and first since 2007, will host No. 2 seed West Essex in a rematch of their 2020 title match, won by the Knights, 34-31, in North Caldwell.

Hills, which is 5-9 all-time in finals and lost its five previous finals appearances since 2007, is now 3-0 vs. Rahway and 5-0 vs. Mendham in career postseason meetings. Seniors Jared Lee (27-1 at 144) and Tyler McCatharn (24-3 at 285) picked up their 82nd and 92nd victories, respectively, while Stephen Malia (24-1 at 165) sits at 78-28 overall.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JAMES DAY FOR HIS 100th WIN!! pic.twitter.com/0CBjKbWGRL
— Phillipsburg Wrestling (@PBurgHSWrestlin) February 8, 2022

Big 5

Hunterdon Central, the No. 3 seed in Central Jersey, also advanced in the ridiculously-loaded Group 5 field with wins over Freehold Township (66-9) and No. 2 Rancocas Valley (44-27). The Red Devils (14-3), who have won 22 sectional titles in their history since the tournaments began in 1980, advance to face No. 1 Howell in the championship match.

Senior Tanner Peake (26-3), a sixth-place finisher in last year's state tournament, picked up a pair of forfeit victories and is 109-25 overall -- passing 1984 state champion Todd Patton (108-7-1 from 1980-84), Tim Cunningham (108-14-4 from 1989-93) and Kyle Brewer (108-31 from 1999-2003) for 12th place on the school's all-time wins list.

Final 4

North has won 2 titles in N2, G4 (2009 and '20)

North Hunterdon, which is seeking the program's 16th sectional title, will make a second consecutive North 2, Group 4 championship appearance after wins over Irvington (58-12) and Middletown North (43-27).

The top-seeded Lions, who fashioned their first unbeaten season in winning the Group 4 title in 2020, will host No. 3 Ridge on Wednesday night. Coach Chris Hrunka's team handed the Red Devils a 63-3 loss in North's regular-season finale on Feb. 2.

Senior Liam Akers (27-1 at 285), one of two state medal winners, along with junior Alex Uryniak (26-3 at 190), up top for North, picked up a pair of wins and is 81-18 overall.

Two!

High Point continued its march toward a Sussex County-best 29th sectional title with wins over Ramsey (56-15) and Newton (54-18). The latter victory also secured the NJAC Freedom Division title for the 'Cats as Friday's scheduled match was nixed due to inclement weather.

High Point has won 28 sectional and 6 state titles.

Coach John Gardner's team, which seeks the program's fifth consecutive sectional championship since 2017, will host No. 3 seed Jefferson once again in the title match. High Point (11-4), which has not won five straight titles since 2010-14 (program record is seven from 1986-92), handed Jefferson a 52-18 loss on Feb. 1 and a 52-16 loss in the 2020 semifinals en route to winning the Group 2 state title. The Falcons, who won their seventh and last sectional championship in 2000, also lost to the 'Cats in the 2017 and '18 finals.

High Point ace Brian Soldano (24-0 at 190), a two-time state champion and Rutgers recruit, picked up two pins on Monday to give him 21 on the season and 87 career (he also has two forfeits and a technical fall victory this season). Soldano, now 113-5 overall and riding a 61-match win streak dating to 2020, moved into a tie with Alex Dalrymple (113-29 from 2004-08) for 12th place on the school's all-time wins list.

Senior Clayton Utter (12-2) improved to 85-24 overall with wins against Ramsey and Newton.

The 1s

Kittatinny and Delaware Valley took steps toward a potential rematch in Sunday's Group 1 final as both easily advanced to sectional title matchups.

John Gill picked up his 600th win in 2021.

The Cougars (17-2), the top seed in North 1, Group 1, rolled past Lenape Valley (60-15) and Pompton Lakes (66-12) as legendary coach John Gill bids for his 23rd sectional title against Emerson-Park Ridge on Wednesday in Hampton Township. Gill (623-197-5 in 42 seasons) and EPR coach Stan Woods (New Jersey's all-time leader with 802 wins) have combined for 1,425 victories in 97 seasons.

The Terriers (14-4), also a No. 1 seed, rolled past Asbury Park (73-6) and Manville (60-6) to reach the Central Jersey, Group 1 final. Coach Andy Fitz's team, seeking the program's 20th championship and sixth since 2015, will take on No. 2 Point Pleasant Beach.

Public finals and Non-Public semifinals

Note: All No. 1 seeds and six No. 3 seeds advanced on the public side